Family Advocate

Job Details

Level: Experienced |

Job Location:

YMCA of Frederick County - Frederick, MD 21701 | Position Type:
Full Time | Salary Range: $18.00 - $20.00 Hourly | Final date to receive applications:
July 22, 2026

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Family Advocate is responsible for implementing the core family partnership, parent engagement, and community partnership functions for the center-based Head Start program of the YMCA of Frederick County. The Family Advocate recruits, enrolls children for the program and uses a family-centered model to support and assist assigned families and children to meet their school readiness goals, desired child outcomes, and the goals established in the Family Partnership Agreements.

This position may assist with the completion of health requirements, screenings and assessments. The Family Advocate will be evaluated on a combination of skills, dispositions and behaviors, using knowledge of the principles of family support and case management to collaborate with related service areas and communicate with internal and external stakeholders. They will provide opportunities for families to become involved in the program and interact at a variety of parent activities, and apply a family-centered philosophy in services delivered to children and families.

• Free Household Membership
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Retirement benefits will vest at 12% after 2 years of employment
• Discount on childcare and other Y programs
• Paid Time Off
• Bereavement leave

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and/or human behavior
• Knowledge of human development and health
• Knowledge of community, social, and health services available in the area
• Knowledge of computer data entry processes
• Knowledge of family-centered, strength based practices
• Knowledge of customs and languages of various cultures helpful
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing
• Ability to speak, read and write English well to understand and be understood by others
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general social services journals and technical procedures
• Ability to speak before groups of individuals
• Some Bilingual fluency helpful (English/Spanish)
• Ability to calculate amounts by adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and figuring percentages
• Ability to understand and implement the Head Start Performance Standards and requirements and policies of YMCA Head Start
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents, outside agencies and the public
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions
• Ability to summarize conclusions and instructions, then make recommendations and develop implementation strategies
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times
• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to use computer for data entry and retrieval functions
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.)

• Coordinates with center staff to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts and ensure integrated child and family curriculum
• Participates in team management functions of planning, implementing and evaluating Family and Community Partnership goals and objectives
• Participates in in-service, workshops, conferences and college courses to enhance skills
• Recruits prospective families and assists with enrollment process
• Conducts home visits to facilitate family plans, assists families in achieving identified goals and follows up on referrals
• Acts as a case manager and works cooperatively with local agencies to assist families in obtaining appropriate services
• Conducts and documents follow-up on referrals as assigned
• Regularly shares information with teachers to ensure coordinated services that meet the needs of individual…